Joe Lau

GRSC6010 Logic, Critical Thinking, and Creativity

2008-9 Semester 2

Mar 12, 19, 26, Apr 2, 9, 16 (Thur 2-4pm, P501 Graduate House)

Announcement

  • [9 June] model answers for the test
  • [25 Apr] The exam paper is now online here (PDF, via HKU intrnet).
  • [21 Apr] The deadline for handing in the final test is now 8 May (5pm). I shall post the test online on 27 Apr. You can submit earlier if you want.
  • [19 Apr] Some students asked for more time for doing the test. I shall make an announcement here later so the relevant dates might change.
  • [2 Apr] Powerpoint file #4 has been posted below.
  • As announced in class, there will not be a lecture on 2 April. I shall instead post a powerpoint file around Sat 4 Apr on the web with explanatory notes. I was hoping to record an online lecture originally, but the result is not very good.

About the course

  • Course web site: http://www3.hku.hk/philodep/joelau/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Courses.2008bGRSC6010, or
  • Lecturer: Joe Lau ContactInfo
  • Format: 6 2-hour lectures including discussion time.
  • Course objectives: Critical thinking is a matter of thinking clearly and rationally. Creativity is a matter of discovering new and useful alternatives. The objective of this course is to introduce the basic principles of critical and creative thinking, and show how they can be applied in research and practical situations. Topics to be discussed include conceptual and argument analysis, fallacies, logic, scientific methodology, and creativity in research.
  • Readings: Online at http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/ . See the powerpoint files below for the tutorials you should go through.
  • Assessment: Pass/Fail - One final take home test. Details to be announced.

Course schedule

Note: The linked powerpoint files can only be downloaded from within HKU's intranet, e.g. using HKUVPN, through the HKU portal, or using the computers in the HKU main library. For further information, see this help file about the HKU portal.

C01, M01 etc can be found at : http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/

  1. Introduction - powerpoint #1 readings - C01, C02
  2. Meaning - powerpoint #2, M01-M07
  3. Arguments - powerpoint #3, A01-A09
  4. Scientific reasoning - no meeting, powerpoint #4 S01-S08
  5. Fallacies & cognitive biases powerpoint #5 F01-F08
  6. Creativity powerpoint #6 R01-R04

Final test

  • A take-home test will be put online on 27 Apr. You should hand in a hardcopy of your answers to Ms Loletta Li at the Philosophy Dept Main Office on or before 8 May (5pm).
  • The test will consist of short questions similar to those on the web site readings.